Founded in 1899 and headquartered in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey (USA), Marquis Who’s Who is an American publisher of several directories containing short biographies. The books are usually titled Who’s Who in … followed by some subject, such as:

Who’s Who in America,

Who’s Who of American Women,

Who’s Who in the World,

Who’s Who in Science and Engineering,

Who’s Who in American Politics, etc.

Marquis Who’s Who books are often found in the reference section of local libraries, at corporate libraries, and are also used for research by universities. Who’s Who in America “endeavors to profile the leaders of American society; those men and women who are influencing their nation’s development”. Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America , Marquis Who’s Who has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who’s Who in America remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world.

Prior to the 2018 “Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award”, Dr. Roland Holou (www.RolandHolou.com) received many other awards. Roland Holou is a scientist, a businessman, a published author, and an international consultant. His areas of expertise include: Agronomy, Agriculture, Agribusiness, Plant Biology, Biotechnology, Genetics, Entomology, Microbiology, Physiology, Rangeland Management, Soil Science, Biochemistry, Ecology, Biofuels, Sustainable Agriculture, Regulatory Affairs, Seed Technology, Natural Resources Management, Project Management, Africa Development, International Trade and Development, Community Development, Economic Development, Capacity Building, Policy Analysis, Six Sigma Certification, Diaspora Engagement, Social Entrepreneurship, Statistical Methodology/Analysis, Excellent Written and Oral Communication Skills (English, French, and 5 African Dialects). He is the Founder and CEO of DiasporaEngager (www.DiasporaEngager.com), the premier international diaspora engagement network platform. Dr. Roland Holou is a dual citizen of Benin Republic (West Africa) and the USA. He obtained his Bachelor Degree in Agronomy and his Master of Science Degree in Agricultural Engineering at the University of Abomey Calavi in Benin. He has a Ph.D. in Plant, Insect and Microbial Sciences at the University of Missouri (USA) where he graduated as the Doctoral Marshal (first of his class). Dr Roland Holou is also the author of the Biography of Prof Brice Augustin Sinsin (www.BriceSinsin.com) and of “The Most Influential Contemporary African Diaspora Leaders“, www.AfricanDiasporaLeaders.com, a comprehensive reference and background book that highlights the lives, visions, achievements, policies, and strategies of exceptional contemporary African Diaspora leaders across the globe.

Here is the truth DiasporaEngager (www.DiasporaEngager.com) has found concerning the dilemmas that most Diasporas, Immigrants, or Travelers find themselves:

• For many reasons, most people leave their country of origin to go into adventure hoping for a better life that, unfortunately, they don’t usually find as originally planned. Why? Most people tend to set too much expectation on this earth which is not supposed to answer all our problems!

• For most people living in the Diaspora, getting better opportunities to solve their problems and achieve their adventure dream is their main priority.

• People and organizations in the country of origin of the Diasporas (particularly developing countries) address most of their needs for assistance to their relatives in the Diaspora, thinking that those relatives are really having a better life abroad.

• Some people in the country of origin of the Diasporas are interested in receiving free gifts back from the Diasporas regardless of their success or not.

• At the same time, nothing is that free for the Diasporas in the foreign countries they find themselves in. Most of the free things the Diasporas get abroad are not enough to really help them find a sustainable way of success. Therefore, to really succeed abroad, most Diasporas have to pay a high price.

• Usually, because of a lack of information or right connections or knowledge, several immigrants do not produce the best of themselves. At the same time, those who succeed do not often collaborate or network with the newly arriving immigrants or those who are not succeeding. Some new aliens would like to find some close and successful immigrants to mentor them, but they don’t know where to find them. The Diasporas of most countries often times neglect to contribute to the development of their country of birth.

• Usually, at their turn, most people living in the Diaspora (at least the newcomers/migrants and those who are struggling to succeed) tend to ask the people in their host country to help them.

• Not only are native individuals, organizations, and businesses in the Diaspora country of residence overloaded with request for free help, but they would also prefer the Diaspora members (who are living by them) to buy their professional services rather than just ask for free help.

• Usually, most Diasporas are not well understood for instance because of the language and cultural barriers, but also because of a lack of integration into their new environment.

• As the Diasporas have their problems that they can’t solve, so the people and organizations in the Diaspora’ host country have their own that they can’t solve free of charge for the Diaspora.

• Meanwhile, certain organizations and governmental institutions strategically take advantage of this situation.

• At the same time, the governments of the country of origin of most Diasporas are ignorant of what their people are facing abroad.

• Because of the problems mentioned above, it generally takes too long for most Diaspora members to achieve their goals and succeed.

• The Diaspora members who we think succeed, don’t usually reach their full potential, and if they do, it takes too long to get there.

• By the time they succeed, most Diaspora’s members incurred a lot of debt, frustrations, and other problems that cause them to focus on themselves rather than really thinking about helping those in their country of origin as the latter wish.

• Some of those who succeed and who want to give back don’t know where the real needs are and how they can engage themselves and others.

• The Diaspora members who are willing to help or give back to their country of origin or to other places they previously lived, don’t know how, where, and who to contact to reach the real needy or solve the real problems.

Although it can be good that some Diaspora members return back home or relocate to their country of origin, it may be bad for others particularly, if they are not well prepared. Therefore, no matter if you succeeded or failed abroad, it is important you consider certain critical points before moving back home.

• Are you contemplating to return to your country of origin, but you realized that no organized structure exists to facilitate your move?

• Are you trying to return back home but you don’t know whom to talk to and how to return to your home country to be ensured you can have a decent life there?

• Do you know that many people returned to their home country but have failed there due to a lack of programs to help them integrate into a new environment? Are you one of those?

• Do you know that numerous agencies assist people in planning their travels, but very few specialize in helping Diaspora members return to their home country even if it is for a short stay to contribute to their nation’s development?

• Are you eager to know and scrutinize the opportunities that your country of origin has for its Diasporas, so that you can match your expectations with what is available in your home country, to decide whether it is worth going back home or not?

• Rain or Shine, do you want to go back to your home country, but just need a little help?

• Are you looking for someone or an institution involved in migration, traveling, or development to facilitate a dialog between you and your country of origin to see how you may help harness opportunities that can assist anyone in the transition of going back home?

• Did you study while you were abroad at a very high cost (e.g. student loan, cost of living abroad), and after graduation, you would like to return back to your country, but unfortunately, you feel like you can’t afford it, because the salary you will make in your home country cannot allow you to pay your debt and have a decent life?

• Do you feel like, if you return back home, you will likely not find the tools and resources to practice what you have learned?

• Do you think that if someone (e.g. government, nonprofit) can assist you in paying off that debt and having a decent job, you would love to return back to your country of origin?

If you said yes to any of the questions mentioned above, DiasporaEngager may help you. If you already have an account with DiasporaEngager, please log in https://diasporaengager.com/login, and go to the menu “Post Need/Offers” to post your needs.

If you know any organization involved in things mentioned above, please submit it to the Directory of the Diaspora and their Stakeholders https://diasporaengager.com/directory so others can find them.

You can also find people and organizations on the Diaspora Map www.DiasporaEngager.com/map, a visual display of Diaspora organizations, business, schools, nonprofits, governmental agencies and international institutes per country worldwide.

Log in to your account today https://diasporaengager.com/login and post something related to your needs. If you have a suggestion or solution to some of the things mentioned above, please log in to your account and post it by going to your dashboard and clicking on menu and then “post needs/offers”. By sharing your experience, you can help enlighten someone or help someone normalize their expectation or prejudice about life abroad. If you know of or have an organization that provides counseling or mentoring which can help foreigners and the native or local people who live by them, please log in to your account and post your services or products so that others can know what you have to offer. If there is fee, please also include this in your offer. If you have a crude truth to share with people but you want to be anonymous or you don’t know how to get the word out, please log in to your account and post it today or send it to us so we can release it. For sometimes, some people act ignorantly, and unless they are challenged or enlightened, they may never know the truth and change their mentality. If you would like to invite your friends or family members to join the platform (www.DiasporaEngager.com) so they can be enlightened and connect to the international diaspora platform, please log in to your account , go to account and click on invite friends to enter their email to invite them. Help enlighten someone today!

If you know any organization involved in things mentioned above, please submit it to the Directory of the Diaspora and their Stakeholders https://diasporaengager.com/directory so others can find them.

You can also find people and organizations on the Diaspora Map www.DiasporaEngager.com/map, a visual display of Diaspora organizations, business, schools, nonprofits, governmental agencies and international institutes per country worldwide.

If you know any organization involved in things mentioned above, please submit it to the Directory of the Diaspora and their Stakeholders https://diasporaengager.com/directory so others can find them.

You can also find people and organizations on the Diaspora Map www.DiasporaEngager.com/map a visual display of Diaspora organizations, business, schools, nonprofits, governmental agencies and international institutes per country worldwide.

DiasporaEngager is the world’s #1 Diaspora based platform that connects people, businesses, nonprofits, schools, international institutions, laboratories, research centers, and governmental agencies to opportunities that interest them locally or abroad. It aims at being a development-based platform that goes beyond just friendship and networking, by creating an advanced pipeline where Diasporas from anywhere can interact among themselves and with people and organization from their country of birth or ancestry, and their host country to harness, exchange, and transfer opportunities to bridge any developmental gaps between people or nations according to their needs and means in a win-win framework. In other words, DiasporaEngager’s goal is to create a global setting that allows people to develop themselves and those who are dear to them in addition to those living close or far away in a foreign land.

DiasporaEngager’s products and services cover more than 70 areas of interest. To learn more about how Diaspora Engagement can assist you, please click on any of the category listed below.

It is hard to address the perspectives on Africa at the beginning of 2017 without mentioning the Chinese influence in Africa and the impact of the election of President Donald Trump on the legacy of President Barack Obama, the first African American to be elected as President of the USA. When President Obama was elected in 2008, several people thought he would be the savior of Africa and its Diaspora. However, the feelings towards his legacy are diverse.

President Obama might have done what he could to strengthen democracy and boost economic growth in Africa for instance by extending theAfrican Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) while investing in theYoung African Leaders Initiative(YALI). By organizing the very first U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, he helped the US to revisit its strategy for Africa. Soon after Obama leaves office, some of his legacies in the USA (e.g.Obamacare, “immigration reform”, Medicaid expansion, minimum wage increase, overtime benefits, paid pregnancy and sick leave,civil rights enforcement, criminal justice reforms,progressive tax reforms, tax credits for low-income people,climate change initiatives, etc.), may be brought down or replaced by something else.

Although several people of African descent including some top civil rights movement leaders are disappointed by the legacy ofMr. Obama, it is worth noticing that he was sandwiched not only between some spiritual and racial strongholds, but also between the strategic forces that brought him to power and the tactical opposition he had to deal with once he managed to enter the White House, which was built by enslaved Africans whose descendants are still struggling in the Americas. The Africans and their stakeholders must reflect on Mr. Obama’s “inability” to do the things that they once thought he could. Unfortunately, many people cannot or do not want to understand that, to some extent, thepower of an American President like Mr. Obamais not as strong as that of some Presidents who can even choose to stay in power even if the result of the presidential vote says otherwise. The timing of the presidency of Obama might have also affected his performance as he inherited theworst economic crisisin the USA since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Yet, as he was preparing to leave office, the statistics showed that theUS economy is strongerthan when he took office.We need to acknowledge Obamafor his efforts regardless of his weaknesses, and also thank God for having allowed an African descent to lead the “world’s #1 nation” for 8 years.

Many Africans would have loved that Mrs. Hillary Clinton was elected as the President of the USA in 2016. However, although she won the popular vote by nearly 3 million ballots, the Electoral College favored Mr. Trump. Several people of African descent did not come out to vote for Hillary as they did for Obama, therefore playing a role in the election of Trump who, during his “thank you tour”, acknowledged the African Americans for staying home during the election! The appointment of Mr. Trump could also be a divine set up that fits the end time as it was prophesied by the renowned Malawian Prophet Shepherd Bushiri (Major1), one of the most successful businessmen and ministers in the world.

Unlike Mr. Obama whose election brought hope to Africa and its Diaspora before they realized 8 years later that, one man at the White House cannot save them, the election of Mr. Trump seems to bring fear on some people as ifTrump can sink Africawhile trying to “Make America Great Again” as emphasized during his revolutionary campaign. Analyzing Mr. Trump’s campaign and the people he is choosing to fill his cabinet positions, it may sound at first glimpse that his policies may not favor the people of African descent. For instance, some people think that Mr. Trump may reduce or redesign the US aids toward Africa. However, this should not scare anyone. For example, although not a descendant of Africa, President George W. Bush has done a lot of great things for Africa and some well-known African leaders still believe that he has helped Africa more than Mr. Obama whose father is from Kenya. Moreover, althoughforeign aids benefit some Africans, Africa is not supposed to be living on certain foreign “aids” which usually are strategic loans with high interest that are typically undetectable by the profane. Instead of counting on these “aids”, Africa should be seeking better opportunities that can allow it to put its own people to work and better manage its priceless human and natural resources that some people are still poaching for free. Therefore, let’s hope that, as a businessman who can negotiate deals, Mr. Trump ends up craftingsome great agreementsthat can contribute to the ongoing efforts to advance Africa and itsDiaspora.

Remember to Love God and His People!

Despite these controversial realities, there is hope for Africa and theAfrican Diasporaif they can understand that their “salvation” will not come from any government in the East or West, but from themselves with the help of God Almighty, who did not predestinate Africa to be the headquarter of poverty despite its rich lands and smart intellectuals. That is why I still believe that the Africans must better partner with each other without forgetting the huge untappedpotential of the African Diasporathat some leaders unfortunately refuse to realistically incorporate into their strategic agendas. Instead of putting their hope on people who usually disillusion them, the Africans need to keep up all good fights while counting on God to develop themselves and the motherland. As for the unspoken racial discrimination and the other forms of injustice, let’s not forget that, there is a God who will judge very soon!

Volunteering has become an interesting part of people’s lives. While some volunteering jobs may be for humanitarian purposes, others have a business potential. It is delightful for someone to volunteer at a place of his or her interest. When people volunteer, not only do they bless themselves, but they also solve other’s problems that may stay unsolved otherwise.

Unfortunately, countless people would like to volunteer but don’t know where they can find an opening in a town or country of their interest. At the same time, many organizations have volunteer openings, but they don’t know how and who to contact to get those jobs done. Particularly, many people travel for diverse reasons (missions, vacation, etc.) to other countries and would like to volunteer for a specific need, but they don’t know who to contact or how to provide that service. There is a gap of information and collaboration between people willing to volunteer and the persons or institutions that will receive those services.

In addition to advocating for their country, the global diaspora can play a crucial role in solving this problem. The diasporas have the chance to live and experience life abroad. They know a lot of new things that the people in their home country do not know. Consequently, the potential of the diaspora needs to be harvested to empower the development of their nations. In other words, volunteering should play a big part in diaspora engagement efforts. Up to today, a very few platforms openly provide that kind of service worldwide in a win-win framework. Consequently, many opportunities of volunteering are missed because they are hidden from the public or they are tagged with complex financial strategies or interests. This situation is contributing to the poverty of many people and nations. A solution was needed!

Greetings from DiasporaEngager, www.DiasporaEngager.com, the world’s #1 and largest international diaspora engagement network platform!

Today, we would like to share with you some of the secrets that many individuals and nations do not know or understand about the global diaspora that they dearly want to give back to their home country! Before we start diving into strategies and ways to finally engage the international diaspora with the development of their nations, we feel like it is very important that we shed light on some of top secrets regarding this issue! The french people will say “secret de polichinelle”. Here it is:

Based on a massive data collection and painful diagnostics, here are the dilemmas that most diasporas, their home countries, and their country of residence find themselves in:

For many reasons, most people leave their country of origin to go into adventure hoping for a better life that, unfortunately, they don’t usually find as originally planned.

For most people living in the diaspora, getting better opportunities to solve their problems and achieve their adventure dream is their main priority.

People and organizations in the country of origin of the diasporas (particularly developing countries) address most of their needs for assistance to their relatives in the diaspora, thinking that all of those relatives are really having a better life abroad.

Some people in the country of origin of the diaspora are mostly interested in receiving free gifts back from the international diaspora regardless of their success or not.

At the same time, nothing is that free for the diaspora in the foreign countries they find themselves in. Most of the free things the diasporas get abroad are not enough to really help them find a sustainable way of success. Therefore, to really succeed abroad, most diasporas have to pay a high price.

Usually, at their turn, most people living in the diaspora (at least the newcomers/migrants and those who are struggling to succeed) tend to ask the people in their host country to help them.

Not only are native individuals, organizations, and businesses in the diaspora country of residence overloaded with requests for free help, but also, they would prefer the diaspora members (who are living by them) to buy their professional services and products rather than just ask for free help.

Usually, most diasporas are not well understood for instance because of the language and cultural barriers, but also because of a lack of integration into their new environment where sometimes, the autochthonous are barely making it in this global economy in decadence!

As the diasporas have their problems that they cannot solve, so the people and organizations in the diasporas’ host country have their own that they cannot or they do not want to solve free of charge those of the diaspora.

Meanwhile, certain organizations and governmental institutions strategically take advantage of this situation that many people and nations do not and/or can not fully understand or share.

Because of the problems mentioned above, it generally takes too long for most diaspora members to achieve their goals and succeed. Nevertheless, many diaspora members behave like if life abroad is a paradise or the “Eldorado”. Therefore, instead of telling the truth to their people so brain drain and immigration can be slightly reduced at the profit of many nations which are sinking, many people lie and/or prefer to believe in lies!

The diaspora members who succeed, or who we think succeed, do not usually reach their full potential, and if they do, it takes too long to get there.

By the time they succeed, most diaspora members incur a lot of debt, frustrations, and other problems that cause them to focus on themselves rather than really thinking about helping those in their country of origin as the latter wish in their claim of “diaspora give back”.

Some of those who succeed and who want to give back do not know where the real needs are and how they can engage themselves and others. Unfortunately, when some give back, many corruptible systems poison their good will! And a whole lot more!!!

To solve these problems, DiasporaEngager was invented. DiasporaEngager aims at being the premier provider of liaisons and strategies between all Diasporas, people and organizations in their home country as well as in their host countries, to set the developmental and global environment to detect, harvest, and transfer resources, services, and opportunities between people, organizations, and nations in a win-win framework, and much more.

Stay tuned! We have a lot more to say. It is very important we understand the complexity of the problem related with immigration, diaspora international problems/opportunities, etc., before we start talking about ways to engage with the global diaspora!

In our previous article, we tried to explain the unemployment problems of the diaspora and immigrants. We also explored what DiasporaEngager (the International Diaspora Engagement Platform) is doing to help solve those problems. Today, we will give more insights into other strategies the unemployed people and their countries can use to alleviate unemployment and put more people to work!

After someone gets a job, it is also important to keep it and perform it without much labor issues. Sometimes, diaspora members encounter discrimination problems related to age, race, gender, disability, religion, politics, … , for which they need professional assistance (e.g. legal services or counseling). DiasporaEngager connects people with legal professionals that can provide labor services.

Helping some qualified immigrants who want to return to their country of origincan help solve the unemployment problem. Unfortunately, it is difficult for the migrants or the diaspora to go back to their home countries which, usually, at their turn, are not taping into the huge potential of their own professionals living abroad!

Every country needs to start involving their diaspora inkey sectors such as education, research, development. Those who have an education in science and technology can also use their knowledge to find and engage with opportunities in their current countries and also in their country of origin where those skills are oftentimes more needed. At the same time, volunteering must to be encouraged so, that even without pay, people can utilize their strength and talents to help others. For instance, the diaspora can volunteer their potential to advancetheir countries which they can also represent at strategic places abroad.

Seeking a job or trying to hire someone? Click here!

The joblessness problem can be alleviated if the diaspora can also provide their skills to their home countries in consulting and partnership. The sad observation is that many countries are not investing in their diaspora and worse, they are not taking advantage of the huge consulting potential of their international professionals living abroad! Similarly, the international pundits and their home countries must design ways so that the diaspora can be strategically used to advocate for the development of their native nation. By doing so, the unemployment rate among the native and the immigrants can be significantly reduced, while knowledge more valued.

Last but not least, those who are living abroad need to be honest with their relatives who are still in their home country. Sometimes, many people move abroad seeking a better life that they never find because a relative or a friend abroad has given them false advice or information about career opportunities overseas. It is dangerous for the global diaspora to keep their own people in the darkness of the reality abroad. At the same time, it is very important for the diaspora and the immigrants to help each other in a way that those who have succeeded assist the new arrivals!

Those who have succeeded can share their stories and strategies they used so that others who are trying to follow their path can reach their dreams without many struggles. These are some of the strategies DiasporaEngager is using to help people and their nations to find and engage in a way that can develop them.

After decades of independence, economic development in African countries continues to lag behind. However, several models and ideologies of development have been applied. Are these ideologies and models inadequate in Africa’s specific case or are the real causes of Africa’s failures due to different factors? Considering the complex process of development, the answer to this question is not simple. In trying to find the real solution to the problem, the importance of identifying the source of poverty in Africa is very relevant.

In one of my books (A continent in tears: The origin of Africa’s collapse and how to reverse it), Dr Roland Holou thoroughly analyzed the real evils that undermine development in African countries. After reviewing the literature on Africa’s development and the misconduct of African officials, the importance of human resource and knowledge in the process of Africa’s development has been revealed. The in-depth analysis focused on the failures of the education systems, lack of thought, problems with intelligence and creativity, scientific research, negativity, rote learning(mechanically memorizing information without truly learning how to apply it), corruption, the mismanagement of Africa’s natural resources, reproduction, witchcraft, politics, trade unionism, ignorance, the African mentality, accountability, the awareness of Africans, corruption of foreign powers, the brain drain, and so on. Examples of elites that Africa needs are included as well.

Why does Africa Weep and Deteriorate?

Indeed, Africa suffers from an intellectual, demographic, and spiritual crisis. The decline of Africa is due not only to its poor management and governance, but also to the acts of evil inflicted upon the continent. From households to the very top of the state, Africans are faced with major challenges. Many Africans are afraid to think or do not want to think; many are afraid to speak, do not want to speak, or cannot speak; many are afraid to act or do not want to act; many leaders are corrupt and/or do not want to learn; many have knowledge but do not want to or cannot apply their knowledge; many religious figures are so attached to narrow visions that they have disregarded the management of cities and politics. Above all else, intellectuals are often spurned by those in charge. When certain individuals want to contribute to society or become something, they are suppressed and rejected. Many skills are scorned; great minds are rarely encouraged or heard. Though several politicians do have some skilled knowledge, recognized experts and skilled workers generally do not want to get involved in politics.

When dictators come to power, they do as they please; when politicians have power, they hardly listen to skilled workers; when skilled workers take power, they act as if everything is technical. Moreover, radical trade unionism and political opposition are destroying Africa. Many do not want to contribute to successful initiatives, preferring instead to advance their own interests. What’s worse is the erroneous African mentality that makes development and progress impossible. While skilled, able workers who could make a difference are out of work, lazy and unqualified individuals are promoted to important positions by their relatives in power. Meanwhile, the expenses of the “great” have robbed Africa of the little that is available, all to the detriment of the poor, “innocent” farmers who are dying under the afternoon sun. With the help of foreign powers and politicians, African officials have effectively beaten Africa down.

Moreover, in many education systems, diplomas are not always symbols of knowledge that will lead to positive action toward development. Indeed, Africans distribute and collect many useless degrees. Many graduates claim to be educated when in reality their credentials are a sham. Africa trains too many scholars—parrots whose heads are filled with useless theories and words—who are unproductive and ultimately do not contribute anything of value to society. There are very few exceptions to this rule. Meanwhile, uncontrolled reproduction is enhancing poverty and other problems pertaining to underdevelopment at a faster rate than preexisting problems can be solved. Indeed, polygamy and certain sexual perversions not only contribute to underdevelopment in Africa, but also to the culture of African destitution.

Additionally, African intellectuals are under the influence of spiritual factions that often impede efforts toward development. Unfortunately, the classic debates surrounding underdevelopment in Africa have always ignored the spiritual dimension of the problem. Undoubtedly, developed countries had advantages and other assets that aided them in their growth. These countries have had their Enlightenment period; great minds have worked to put these nations on the right path. Today, Africa’s best minds are afraid to even remain on the continent. Due to this massive brain drain, there are real problems pertaining to coordination, awareness, accountability, and intelligent, rational application of development strategies in African nations.

Real Causes and Solutions to African Impoverishment

In an attempt to find a lasting solution to the impoverishment of Africa and to put the continent on the path to prosperity, Dr. Roland Holou (www.RolandHolou.com) has suggested pertinent and practical reforms in his book that should be initiated. This book provides anyone who is concerned with development in Africa valuable information and instruction on how to take action. The ideas proposed in this book could be applied to other continents as well, as these same issues occur outside of Africa.

Dual citizen of the USA and Benin Republic, Dr. Roland Holou has a doctorate in plant sciences, entomology, and microbiology. He is an agricultural engineer and a specialist in environmental development and management. He also holds a diploma in Rural Development and is the Founder and CEO of DiasporaEngager (www.DiasporaEngager.com), the world’s #1 diaspora engagement platform. To learn more about Dr Roland Holou and his books, or to contact him, please write to: rholou@yahoo.com and rholou@diasporaengager.com

Through my experience dealing with diasporas across the globe (e.g. https://www.DiasporaEngager.com/map), I have learned something very shocking about Africa and America that I would like to share with you today. I noticed that some diaspora groups and countries are very connected and as tightly knit as a sweater. When I realized that these groups were successful in helping their diaspora and home country, I thought to myself: why isn’t this the case for Africa?

For many years, I used to think that the African leaders, politicians, and intellectuals were the main cause of the African problem. In 2008, I published a book in France titled “La Faillite des Cadres et Intellectuels Africains(The Failure of the African Intellectuals). After being recently involved in several diaspora initiatives, I realized that what causes the African leaders to cling to power and ignore their own intellectuals who, in the end, are leaving Africa to go abroad, is also causing the African Diaspora to fight among each other, and wanting to raise themselves above each other in a way that most of the African diaspora initiatives are not in sync. The Africans tend to always put themselves first, and in the process, they discourage and put down anyone who may dare to do something similar. While other nations are fighting the ideologies that should free Africa, the Africans themselves keep creating and worsening divisions they have been subjected to by colonial powers. African efforts lack coordination and cooperation at many levels. The African Diaspora and African leaders are not ready to engage with one another in a realistic way that can overcome 21st century global mindsets and customs that still try to hold back the Black community, despite having a Black President at the White House.

The mentality that caused the Europeans to go to Africa to divide it, to catch our grandfathers and force them into slavery (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_slave_trade), is sadly still within many of our own African leaders and the African Diaspora. That evil spirit is causing many Africans to sabotage one another, and to refuse to collaborate with or help each other. That is why Africa is unable to unite and use its rich lands and resources to develop. I found it fascinating that some Africans born in Africa do not even consider African Americans (descendants of former slaves) to be a part of the African diaspora. Sometimes, I am shocked that while talking about race in America, there is a difference between African, Black, African American, Afrodescendant, and Negro. Yet, they are the same people who are struggling to free their brothers and sisters from some historical strongholds.

During the building of the global diaspora database (www.DiasporaEngager.com/directory and https://www.DiasporaEngager.com/map), I engaged with several diaspora associations across the globe. I noticed that there are many African diaspora clubs. The Africans gather themselves in groups that discuss diverse forms of doctrines without truly thinking about how to help others even their own people. In those diaspora groups or networks, some Africans surround themselves with people who can help them to find a piece of the pie and eat it together. After being involved in decision making at the highest level, I found it amazing that in America, many of the African Diaspora’s initiatives by Africans from Africa are not welcomed by some leaders in the African American communities (https://www.diasporaengager.com/American), and vice versa. The Africans need to learn to work more cooperatively and to stop to be victims of their past historical wounds. The African Diasporas are so dispersed and divided that IF they cannot learn HOW to better work with one another in the midst of their divergences and geographical constraints, they can never sustainably improve their situation.

An African Market.

The most developed countries do NOT like each other, BUT they know how to meet in their clubs of G7, G10, G20, Gxyz, etc. to work together and push their agenda forward. While the African Nations are trying hard to be included in these clubs, they have refused for more than 50 years to unite themselves to form a realistic African Union. Similarly, some African leaders tend to reject the potential of their diaspora intellectuals in order to focus on their own selfish agendas that help them acquire money; create projects and/or get consulting fees, or keep their power until they die on their throne before their children take over by picking up the leadership heritage. Though certain African Leaders cite the western countries as the root of their poverty, they crush their own people with policies, sometimes in the name of democracy that some people think is sufficient to develop Africahttps://DiasporaEngager.com/extPage/DemocracyGovernance!

Likewise, the African diasporas “ignore” one another just as some developed countries technically overlook Africa’s best interests. For instance, Benin Republic—my country of origin—is among the smallest countries in the world. We have more than 150 political parties in Benin and there are several diaspora associations from Benin in America; however, they are NOT working together. Everybody wants to be the Boss and at the same time some western powers have put Africa in a big box that it is struggling to escape. This backward mentality is everywhere amongst most African nations and diasporas. As if this mentality is not enough, the African leaders are not listening to the intellectuals they have at their own universities. Indeed, they have chased away many professionalshttps://www.diasporaengager.com/BrainDrain and imprisoned those they do not like. Africa claims that it wants to reverse the brain drain; however, it forgets that the migration of these brains is feeding the economy and the technology of western countries that Africa asks to fund the African projects where money is spoiled and wasted as if it was the sand of the seashore. Are the Africans implying that the World Bank was right when it argued for many years that Africa does not need University Intellectuals? For instance, the African Leaders need to understand that listening to their own intellectuals and investing in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics … must be the first priority in their budget. Otherwise, we are just programming and prolonging poverty in Africa, although some people use statistics to show that Africa is prospering. Money-oriented conferences organized on behalf of Africa will not improve the African situation. Indeed, if we cannot change the mentality of the African Leaders, we cannot win this battle. African leaders need to follow the example of the African intellectuals who are making positive difference such as Prof Brice Sinsin (http://www.BriceSinsin.com)

Furthermore, we need to be more honest with Africa and with one another. For instance, members of the African Diasporas (https://www.diasporaengager.com/Africa) are very smart, but NOT very rich. Yet, when they go to Africa, they behave as if they are billionaires abroad. This behavior ignites excitement and adventure in the minds of talented Africans, who then leave Africa only to realize that life abroad is not always easy, nor the heaven that some people describe. We need to start being honest with our people in Africa. When we want to talk about African Diaspora Engagement, let’s not think too much about MONEY, and let’s refrain from turning to BIG financial institutions for funding. Money has never been Africa’s problem and it will never be the solution. If the African Diaspora can help one another without spreading abroad their backward mentality—which is not different from the mindset of the nations that try to oppress them—, I (www.RolandHolou.com) believe we can better forge strong coalitions that can help free Africa, the poor, the needy, and the afflicted from being controlled by the power of other nations who are trying to develop themselves as well.

Some people may wonder why I am speaking as if I hate Africa. The fact of the matter is that I love Africa very much and I still have brothers and sisters on the Black continent who cannot even comprehend the reality of life abroad even if I risk my life to tell them the truth. I was born and raised in the Benin Republic (West Africa) before I moved to the USA many years ago. I am privileged to have tasted life in Africa before migrating to the USA, where I got my PhD in Plant, Insect and Microbial Sciences. I have been working and publishing books and articles about Africa for more than 15 years. It is my love for Africa and the global diaspora that caused me to create DiasporaEngager, the International Diaspora Engagement Platform www.DiasporaEngager.com. Today, I am pleased to inform you that the platform is growing quickly and is being used in many countries. We also completed the most comprehensive diaspora database and diaspora map, which anyone can access by creating a free account at www.DiasporaEngager.com/miniRegister and then visit athttps://diasporaengager.com/map/. DiasporaEngager is helping people and nations to address some of the problems mentioned above http://diasporasnews.com/how-does-diasporaengager-help-individuals-organizations-and-nations/. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact me at rholou@yahoo.com and rholou@DiasporaEngager.com.

With the development of technologies and business opportunities, the increase of service to customers, the amount of information to analyze, and the increasing need to make the right decisions based on a variety of data, consulting is becoming a very important component in the workplace. Unfortunately, access to affordable and trustworthy consultants at the right time is not always easy. Similarly, many talented people would like to offer consulting services, but they don’t know where, how, and whom to contact.

Although in the case of countries affected by brain drain the need of native consultants is more appealing, it is very hard for people living in the diaspora to offer such a service to their home countries. At the same time, many organizations have consulting openings, but they don’t know how or who to contact to get those jobs done. Sometimes, because of a lack of the right fit, many consultations are done by less qualified people.

While the experts living in the diaspora are rarely used by their home countries for consulting, several foreign consultants are hired for the cause of those very countries. Unfortunately, those foreign consultants often lack the local knowledge which is required to appropriately elaborate certain policies, and they are often less qualified and more expensive than the diasporas. If the global diasporas can be better organized, they can be a very powerful instrument for consulting and development of the government, schools, businesses, and organizations in their home country as well as in their host country.

To fill the gap of information and collaboration between people willing to be consulted and the persons or institutions that will receive such services, DiasporaEngager aims at creating a free global consulting platform by using social media to bring together consulting customers and clients for collaboration, networking, business, entrepreneurship, and much more, to develop people and nations.

With this platform, the world’s diasporas can be easily reached and used for consulting needs. This international platform significantly annuls the consulting fee and allows nations to find and use people that they can trust. If anyone needs a consultant for anything, he or she will just go online and search worldwide.

The global consulting platform(http://bit.ly/1rAX9cN) brings together consultants and clients for collaboration, networking, business, and entrepreneurship to develop people and nations. On this diaspora engagement site, people, businesses, organizations, institutions, and nations can create their profile and put online their expertise, profession, years of experience, location, and the cost of their service. If anyone needs a consultant for anything, he or she will just go to this platform online and search locally or internationally. The consultants can be contacted for specific needs pertaining to their region, expertise, and availability.

To start receiving updates and consulting opportunities related to the global diaspora, please go tohttp://bit.ly/1oOJFXE to subscribe to the diaspora engagement newsletter today! It is free!

The Global Diaspora Engagement Platform has more than consulting, investment, and philanthropy.To learn about other services related to the international diaspora engagement and how they may help you, please click here: http://bit.ly/1rAX9cN

In our previous article (Why Immigrants and Diasporas Cannot Easily Return Back Home), we discussed how difficult it is for immigrants and diaspora members to return back home. Today, we will explore some of the strategies DiasporaEngager is taking to help the diaspora and their people to return back home if needed.

DiasporaEngager aims at facilitating dialog and negotiations between the international diasporas and their countries. DiasporaEngager encourages governments affected by brain drain to create new programs to assist their diaspora to return home. Because the diaspora studied in a higher and more advanced system, a kind of positive discrimination (giving them special favors and benefits) needs to be created to distinguish them from their peers who stayed home. DiasporaEngager encourages the creation of a new type of non-profit (Non-Governmental Organization) to facilitate that type of investment. Expatriating immigrants, closing borders, or granting work permits to the so called illegal immigrants cannot solve this migratory grand challenge.

DiasporaEngager provides an avenue to locate the parties interested in such opportunities and helps them to start the communication or partnership required to define the conditions and context of the return of qualified Diaspora members to their original country. People interested in returning back to their home country as well as the nations and organizations that would like to encourage that move should register an account on www.DiasporaEngager.com. The institutions or organizations in the home country should define the opportunities that they can provide so that the Diaspora can search and match their expectations with what is available in their home country. DiasporaEngager provides the environment to facilitate that dialog and works together with local and international agencies involved in migration, traveling, or development to harness any opportunities that can assist anyone in this transition.

DiasporaEngager: The world’s #1 platform that really helps immigrants and diasporas to find opportunities to stay abroad or to return back home.

DiasporaEngager works with local business to hire diaspora members and to help them return to their home country to work for them. Companies in the diaspora’s host country can hire diaspora members and send them to work for them in their home country. After knowing the diaspora member’s work ethic, businesses in the host country of the diaspora can better trust not just the qualifications they hold, but also the confidence that can be put in them for the best interest of the business. Sometimes, many multinational companies would like to hire or subcontract with other international businesses, but because of a lack of knowing the culture and competency of other organizations abroad, it is more difficult. If the diasporas returning back home can be involved in this kind of international transaction they can be the bridge between the gap.

In the context of DiasporaEngager, the word Diaspora refers to anyone who, for any reasons, is living in a country or town that is not his or her place of origin or ancestry or the place s/he calls home. Some people may call them an immigrant, a stranger, or an alien. Some may argue that, most individuals can be remotely linked to a country of origin different from their current country of residence, and therefore, most of us are an alien, immigrant, or a Diaspora of somewhere. In the US for instance, except the native Indians, everyone else can be considered an alien or immigrant. Even in that case, the Indians themselves have had to migrate from somewhere before reaching the US.

The longer the duration of the stay of someone in a foreign land, the higher the likelihood that his or her descendants think that they (the descendants) are native of that place that their ancestry moved to long ago. That’s why, because they are not first, second, or third generation immigrants, many people easily forget that they are a stranger of what they call “our land”, and unfortunately treat the new immigrants like the “bad people” or like “those who are taking our lands or our country”, or like “those who don’t even speak our language well”, or like “those who don’t behave like us”. In reality, those new immigrants (new arrivals) are usually just trying to go through the obligatory survival and integration steps that the ancestors of those who are calling them “strangers” and who think they are native, did long ago.

DiasporaEngager is not a political organization which is trying to advocate for any particular immigration agenda. To make a long story short, regardless of where we are from and where we are living, let’s try to help each other to succeed in this life on this earth. We never know what bad weather will come tomorrow or what may cause us to move in the future. We don’t know what is awaiting our descendants which may choose to move out from where we are today to another place. We don’t even fully understand where we are coming from and what brought our ancestors to where we are today. If you want to join us in our efforts to help diaspora members globally, please register an account on www.DiasporaEngager.com

Human migration is a universal problem that is here to stay. Human beings, and even wild animals, move because they are usually trying to solve a problem. For instance, when the weather is getting bad, many animal species know how to migrate to avoid exposing themselves to environmental conditions that can threaten their existence. Certain animals that cannot migrate, hibernate to avoid the bad weather like winter! Wild animals which are unable to migrate nor fully hibernate, usually suffer during the rough season, and some even die!

When human beings move, they also have in mind the notion of finding a better life. I do not think many people move to a new place just to willingly expose themselves to detrimental conditions that will hurt or kill them, unless they are terrorists, which is a bad thing. However, because of political limitations, human beings do not have the freedom to migrate to wherever they would like. In most cases, people are restrained to their native countries and unable to move abroad because they lack finances, governmentapproval, connections, vision, and support from family or friends. Usually, when human beings manage to leave their home country for another country, they do not easily return back, unless something threatens their dream abroad, or some better opportunities open up in their home country, or they are repatriated from their residence country back to their native country. Even so, those who are repatriated want to return back to the country they just came from!

When it comes to the diaspora of the developing countries, if stinginess, unforgiveness, and selfishness can be added to the already-complicated equations among the diaspora and those residing in the same country, most of the immigrants allow pride to get in their way and would prefer dying abroad than returning back to their native country. It is in this critical condition that most countries are begging their diasporas to give back or to invest in their development.

Join the International Immigrants Platform at www.DiasporaEngager.com/miniRegister

Nevertheless, a handful of educated people living in the Diaspora would like to return to their country of origin or country of residence, but in most cases, a very few organized structures exist to facilitate that type of movement. Some people don’t even know who to talk to or where to start in order to return to their home country. This is because many developed countries do not have a clear plan to integrate or incorporate their diaspora and returning immigrants into the development of their own country. Many immigrants have returned or have been returned to their home country, but have failed due to a lack of programs to help them integrate into their new environment. Numerous traveling agencies and businesses assist people in planning their travels, but very few specialize in helping diaspora members return to their home country even if it is for a short stay to contribute to their nation’s development. After arriving to a new country and being surprised by the many hurdles they have to overcome, once realizing all the obstacles, certain immigrants oftentimes want to return home but lack the funding to do so.

The problem is more complex for the educated people living abroad. Indeed, some diaspora members studied at a very high cost; some may have even acquired debts (e.g. student loan, cost of living abroad), and after graduation, they would like to return back to their home country, but unfortunately, they can’t afford it, because the salary they will make in their home country cannot allow them to pay their debt and have a decent life. Furthermore, if they return, they will likely not find the tools and resources to practice what they have learned. However, if someone (e.g. government, nonprofit) can assist them in paying off that debt and having a decent job, some diaspora members would love to return home. A solution must be found for this global problem.

In our next post, we will discuss what DiasporaEngager is doing to solve this complex problem. Please stay tuned! Meanwhile, you can join our efforts by registering a free account at: https://diasporaengager.com/miniRegister

To advocate for something is to plead or argue in favor of that thing. People and organizations usually advocate for causes they care for. For instance, to push their agendas forward, several nations, institutions, and organizations hire professionals that advocate on their behalf for things critical to their well-being (e.g. security, economy, politics, and development). Why does diaspora advocacy for development matter?

While almost every country has an interest in others, millions of people are moving every year to new countries or places without being really engaged in the development of their home country as it should. At the same time, the potential of the diaspora is usually ignored even in their new country of residence. With the globalization of the world’s economy and the increasing human migration, the potential of the global diaspora is needed more than ever.

Usually, because they know more about their country of residence than their fellow citizens living in their home country, the global Diaspora can better advocate for their people at key institutions or places in their country of residence. By doing so, advocacy service providers will have a channel to reach the customers that were unknown to them, whereas the Diasporas and their people will finally know who to talk to and how to solve their advocacy problems based on their respective realities.

Each country should have advocacy centers where they should be training and educating their diaspora in helping them carry their developmental agendas. Governmental agencies (e.g. consulates and embassies) should be highly involved in this kind of advocacy initiatives. Unfortunately, the consulates and embassies of many developing countries are mostly known for delivering visas and passports or for negotiating deals that can be better won if their diaspora can be tactically more involved! Several intellectuals living in the diaspora have complained that they never receive a letter or a newsletter from the embassy or the consulate of their country trying to engage them in development conversations. Therefore, the potential of these diaspora pundits is ignored by their own nations that nominate unqualified diplomats to negotiate very complex issues that they (the diplomats) were not trained for. At the same time, the international diaspora neglect to make the first move by approaching their country to start discussions that can develop them.

Normally, in every country, there should be advocacy institutes at least at university levels to help harvest the potential of the professionals in the diaspora as a positive force that can enlighten people and unleash development. By doing so, more advocacy for development jobs can be created in each country and also among the diaspora. The educated people living in the diaspora must be motivated to know that their country of origin needs them no less than their current country of residence where they are sometimes strategically forced to pay a lot for their education and integration before starting to pay a high interest for their loans without forgetting their taxes!

This is part of the noble mission DiasporaEngager is carrying: brings together the advocacy industry and the Diasporas as well as their home country to cooperate and resolve their problems. In addition, DiasporaEngager can assist you if you are interested in opportunities related to:

If you said yes to any of the above questions, you can solve your problem and/or help someone else use your skills by just connecting with people and opportunities on DiasporaEngager: https://DiasporaEngager.com

Almost every African country is trying to engage with its diaspora. However, in general, when it comes to how to convince the African diaspora to work with their country of origin, most of the methods used are not working. One of the first things that comes to the mind of most Africans living in Africa is to ask the diaspora to help them, forgetting that no one is helping the diaspora for free. In contrast, the first thing that enters the mind of most diasporas is not how to help Africa, but whether Africa knows why they have left the continent and what they are doing/facing abroad!

Do I need to underline that many African immigrants have left the Black Continent because they were chased away by some leaders and sorcerers who, today, are begging them to invest back home? What can’t I say about the massive and forced migration of Africans to America during one of the darkest and wicked ages of human history a few centuries ago? I even wonder how many people realize that the largest African diaspora population is in Brazil! Most Africans leaders are not trying to better know and understand their diaspora before asking them to come invest their money in Africa. Sometimes, I even wonder how many African Professionals in the Diaspora are richer than the African leaders who are begging them for money. Worst, some African leaders act as if their diaspora have forgotten the wounds they have suffered in Africa before finding a way to flee the continent of Kwame Nkrumah. Undoubtedly, a lot of basic first steps needs to be addressed in order to start aligning the mentality of Africa with that of its diaspora. Otherwise, the synergistic coalition needed for African Diaspora Engagement (www.DiasporaEngager.com/Africa) will continue lacking!

The migration of the diasporas from their home country to their new country of residence is a kind of “divorce or break up” with their roots. Some Africans have had some bad experiences with their own people that they do not even want to reverse their “divorce” with the continent of Nelson Mandela and of Prof Brice Sinsin. Other immigrants have been highly afflicted by the people in their home country that they do not want to hear any request coming from them. No intelligible man dates a woman by starting to ask about anything that is supposed to be last. Moreover, no reasonable man can win back his ex-wife or ex-girlfriend, and vice versa, by starting the conversation with a list of requests or a list of things that the ex must do. Sadly, certain political leaders who orchestrated the migration of their own people cling to power and then, ask their diaspora that they and their ancestors have hunted to come and invest in their country. These types of diaspora engagement cannot work, particularly in the African context where people seem to pull each other toward the bottom of the misery pit. At the same time, many foreign countries are taking advantage of the divergences among the Africans!

African Diaspora Engagement Must be like a Love Story. Why? Check out www.DiasporaEngager.com/Africa

The involvement of the diaspora in the development of their home country must follow certain basic rules of courtesy. I believe that Africa and its diaspora need to start “dating” each other in a format similar to that of a man trying to win back his ex-wife or ex-girlfriend, and vice versa. However, while some people that have broken up can easily find new loves, it is not easy for most diaspora to quickly forget their roots and embrace the culture of their new country. This implies that many opportunities still exist to start engaging the African Diasporas in a dialogue with their homeland which dearly needs them. For this dialog to succeed, it must not begin with begging the diaspora to come back to Africa or to invest in Africa. Similarly, the diaspora should not inaugurate this dialog by requesting that the African political leaders change overnight. The African Diasporas need to know that, though their new life abroad has changed the way they used to think, many of their brothers and sisters in Africa still act as if they have no brain or if they cannot get rid of the legacy of the colonial ignorance and slavery. Therefore, the African Diaspora must be tolerant with their own people who need to be willing to realign and renew their mentality so that synergistic coalitions can be fostered in a win-win framework for the advancement of our dear Africa rather than allowing the so-called super powers to continue poaching their rich lands and mines like the cake of their grandmother or like their heritage or like the field of their slaves that they are still trying to enslave with diverse model of modern technology, negotiation, aids, partnership, and legislation!!!

Please, don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that every African diaspora engagement effort has failed. Indeed, several people and organizations have successfully engaged with Africa and its diaspora in a positive way. Many Africans living in Africa and in the diaspora have also contributed to the development of their homeland. We take advantage of this opportunity to thank those Africans, African diasporas, their friends, partners and stakeholders who have made a positive difference in Africa.

However, after spending years working on the African problems and writing books on African Development, I can conclude that, when it comes to engaging the African diaspora in the development of Africa, ten questions need to be asked first:

What can we do to forgive each other and embrace a new journey of partnership?

How can we partner rather than how can they help us?

How can we initiate this partnership without bringing up money as the first issue?

And these questions must be answered without forgetting the millions of African-Americans, (descendants of the slaves or African Descent individuals of descendants of former slaves), whom some stupid and/or naive Leaders think are not worthy to be called African Diaspora! It is after these questions are sincerely addressed that Africa and its Diaspora can start talking about who can do what for who? Without following these simple strategic steps, the African diaspora will just keep creating thousands of African Diaspora Associations, while the African Political Leaders will keep creating more Political Parties in Africa, yet, sinking Africa, remaining at odds and, therefore, unable to work together to create positive change. If you like this article, you will be also interested in joining the Global Diaspora Engagement Platform and the African Diaspora Platform at http://DiasporaEngager.com/miniRegister. Anyway, I, Dr Roland Holou www.RolandHolou.com would like to hear from you.

Nations develop themselves because of the research, innovation, invention, and creativity of their people. Consequently, the poverty of certain nations can be linked to the education of their citizens. For instance, the gap of knowledge and development between universities in developed countries and those in developing countries is very huge because of the quality of their research, the environment, and the lack of resources. Even within any country, significant differences are found between the services provided at different educational institutions.

If the developing countries must invest in their research institutions to reach the level of the research being done in certain developed countries, they must allocate a significant amount of their national budget. Unfortunately, due to their economy, most developing countries cannot afford that kind of spending. To resolve some of the challenging problems affecting education today, collaborative efforts must be strategically made. For instance, many governmental and private institutions are increasingly requiring universities to collaborate regionally or worldwide before winning certain grants and fellowships. While the under-developed educational institutions have several collaboration opportunities, they lack the information to find the right collaborators. Similarly, numerous institutions in developed countries can provide their expertise to others, but the connection is missing. When brain drain is added to the equation, the solution is more difficult for the countries that are negatively affected.

Helping students, staff, and faculty to easily find peers and schools that have opportunities for them.

Because they better know the context of their home countries than the foreigners, the global diaspora must play a key role in helping their country of origin to alleviate some of their educational problems.Without a doubt, the potential of many educated people of most developing countries is not being well used abroad, while their native countries are neither crafting strategies to harvest that potential for their benefit. As an example, someone who obtained a doctorate in the USA or in the UK, is likely to have some advanced technological knowledge and tools than someone who got the same degree in Africa or in other third world countries. Usually, most of the top scientists from the developing countries that are trained abroad do not want to return back to their native countries to use their skills and knowledge to advance their people and their nations. While many developing countries are begging their brains to return home to build their nations, several developed countries where those brains live are also forging much more powerful strategies to encourage brain drain. Knowing that it is very difficult, even sometimes impossible, to force people to move to a new place, including going abroad or returning back home, a new type of strategy is very much needed to solve the educational problems of the global diaspora in a sustainable way. Many institutions are trying to tackle this issue, but most of them appear to be advancing agendas that conflict with the real solution! Global and unselfish efforts that are not solely based on monetary transactions are much needed to fully help the international immigrants to properly develop themselves and in return help their country of origin to improve their scholastic services.

DiasporaEngager is addressing this complex challenge related to the international diaspora engagement in education, research, development and much more. To overcome this international challenge, DiasporaEngager does not focus only of higher education, but on many levels of education (post graduate, graduate, undergraduate, high school, place of apprenticeship, vocational education, etc.) where knowledge is dispensed. DiasporaEngager is a global network platform that links educational and research institutions to educational needs and opportunities related to: collaboration, consultation or consulting, economic development, employment, endowment, extension, grant, library services, outreach, philanthropy, research partnership, pen pal, study abroad, student exchange, teaching, tourism, and partnership, etc.

DiasporaEngager helps establish and strengthen collaboration between laboratories and research centers in developing and developed countries in order to solve professional needs. DiasporaEngager facilitates networking between universities across the globe so that they use advanced technologies to innovate, create, and invent while addressing the crucial research and development problems. This global platform allows students, staff, and faculty to easily find peers and schools that have opportunities matching their educational interests or needs and vice versa. DiasporaEngager is a global channel through which people and resources can be transferred between educational institutions according to the institutions developmental gap.

The international diaspora and the people and organizations in their country of origin and in their country of residence can use this platform to quickly inform each other about the path and means to get a better education to improve lives and develop nations. By doing so, DiasporaEngager acts as a liaison between the global diaspora and their home countries to transfer resources required to develop or reform their educational system and a whole lot more.

All it takes so start using that global platform is to create a free account at www.DiasporaEngager.com/miniRegister. The registration and the use of the platform are free. If you are already a user of DiasporaEngager, please log into your account today and post your needs/offers related to education or anything else so that others can find and respond to them. As of today, people and organizations from more than 80 countries are already using that platform. Why not register today and see what is awaiting you! Together with their diasporas, each country can better handle their educational and developmental problems while fully engaging with the complex problems of their international diaspora associations and people.

Scientists and researchers are needed everywhere to innovate and create new things that can help solve the world’s growing problems. In most developing countries, several top intellectuals tend to migrate to developed countries, seeking better professional opportunities.

With the massive migration of the educated people from their home country to other countries (brain drain), diaspora engagement in science, technology, and research is needed more than ever. Unfortunately, it is not easy for the professionals living in the diaspora to network with their home country and with their country of residence to offer their professional skills to address scientific and technological problems. Sometimes, the diaspora members are less paid in their country of residence, whereas their home country does not know how to tap into the potential of their educated expatriates?

Diaspora engagement in science and technology should not be only about granting work visas to the best international scientists so that they stay abroad after their graduation. Diaspora implication in science and engineering should not be only about asking the diaspora to return to their country of ancestry! Engaging the international diaspora in the development of their countries should be more than the partisan political debates regarding the migration of the intellectuals from developing countries to America or Europe.

To sustainably involve the world’s diasporas in the advancement of their nations, efforts must be made so that the diasporas serve as a bridge between their country of origin and their current country of residence in a win-win framework. For instance, the diasporas should be informing their home country about scientific opportunities in their country of residence and vice versa. Meanwhile, scientific institutions (e.g. schools, universities, ministers/departments of education) in each country need to keep their diasporas up to date about scientific and educational news, needs, and opportunities. As the professional diaspora members living in developed countries are likely to be more alerted about scientific advancements in their areas of expertise, it would be more advantageous for every country to create a national pipeline between their intellectuals and their diaspora accordingly. Although certain countries are trying to create a department specialized in diaspora affairs, their local efforts cannot have a significant impact if each diaspora keeps working alone.

Find scientific professionals in the diaspora by joining the global diaspora platform for free: www.DiasporaEngager.com/miniRegister

Are you trying to find good scientific collaborators?

Are you looking for diaspora members with whom you can collaborate?

Are you looking for grants,fellowships, or scholarship opportunities?

Are you a businessman or businesswoman trying to invest in science and research?

Do you have any concerns or suggestions about how science is done today in any country or in any field?

If you said yes to any of the questions above, DiasporaEngager (the global diaspora engagement platform – www.DiasporaEngager.com can help you. DiasporaEngager is the premier global diaspora network platform where scientists/intellectuals and their diasporas can list their expertise and skills so that they can find and work with each other on issues related to science, technology, research, education, and much more. Indeed, DiasporaEngager is committed to helping the scientists, researchers, innovators, companies, businesses, nonprofit organizations,international institutions, and nations to work together to find a solution to local and international problems that can be addressed by science and research.

To reach that goal, DiasporaEngager helps the global diaspora and their countries to find each other and engage in conversations related to: